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Kinshasa: Difference between revisions

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===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===


Emergency contraceptive pills (also known as morning after pills) are available in the DRC. The law states that they are available by prescription only,<ref>[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/congo-democratic-republic-kinshasa/ Congo, Democratic Republic (Kinshasa)]</ref> but it appears that it can be purchased without a prescription (based on testimony in reports).<ref name="drc_ecawareness" /> Emergency contraceptive pills are not commonly used, with only about 1.9% of married women and 4.3% of unmarried women ever using it, according to a 2015 study.<ref name=":0" />  
Emergency contraceptive pills (also known as morning after pills) are available in the DRC. The law states that they are available by prescription only,<ref>[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/congo-democratic-republic-kinshasa/ Congo, Democratic Republic (Kinshasa)]</ref> but it appears that it can be purchased without a prescription (based on testimony in reports).<ref name="drc_ecawareness" />  
 
Emergency contraceptive pills are not commonly used, with only about 1.9% of married women and 4.3% of unmarried women ever using it, according to a 2015 study.<ref name=":0" /> Emergency contraception is not fully integrated into family planning programs, where it is only recommended in cases of rape, incest, or issues of mental incapacity. There is also low awareness of emergency contraception among the local population, with about 22.6% of all women (ages 15-49) ever having heard of the method, according to a 2014 report. There is also limited distribution of emergency contraception in pharmacies, and some pharmacies experience stock-outs.<ref name=":0" />  


In 2018, a study found that about two-thirds of pharmacists in Kinshasa were knowledgable about the required timeframe, dosage, and side effects of emergency contraception. About 90% were found to be helpful for people who were new to emergency contraception and had basic questions. About 20% provided incorrect information related to the proper timeframe for taking emergency contraception, and about 4% gave incorrect information about its long-term side effects. About 22% of the pharmacists had issues with stock-outs of emergency contraception. Generally speaking, the study found that private pharmacies typically had adequate knowledge among staff members for dispensing emergency contraception.<ref>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28803883/</ref>
In 2018, a study found that about two-thirds of pharmacists in Kinshasa were knowledgable about the required timeframe, dosage, and side effects of emergency contraception. About 90% were found to be helpful for people who were new to emergency contraception and had basic questions. About 20% provided incorrect information related to the proper timeframe for taking emergency contraception, and about 4% gave incorrect information about its long-term side effects. About 22% of the pharmacists had issues with stock-outs of emergency contraception. Generally speaking, the study found that private pharmacies typically had adequate knowledge among staff members for dispensing emergency contraception.<ref>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28803883/</ref>

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